Percocet Withdrawal and Detox

Percocet Withdrawal and Detox

Percocet Withdrawal Symptoms & Detox

Opiates, including Percocet, are among the most addictive substances on earth, affecting about 2.1 million people in the United States alone. Without help from a Percocet detox center, withdrawal symptoms become so painful and intense that many people keep using just to relieve the pain. These symptoms can occur when an individual is dependent or addicted to an opioid. Percocet brings with it a different set of problems because of the addition of acetaminophen to the mix.

Why is Percocet so Addictive?

All drugs and alcohol effect the brain in some manner. However, opiate addiction treatment programs must deal with the fact that opiates seem to take hold of people like no other substance. Most people know that the drug binds to opioid receptors and changes brain chemistry, but don’t understand how that leads someone to become addicted.

There are three opioid receptors in the brain, mu-, delta-, and kappa receptors. Without these neurotransmitters, addiction could not occur. When taken through the GI tract, mucous membranes in the nose, or directly into the veins via injection, the drugs quickly reach the bloodstream. Once they’re carried to the brain, they pass through the membrane that protects it and are converted to morphine. This enables them to bind to the main receptor responsible for pain management, emotional response, and reward, which is the mu-receptor.

As drug use continues, the brain becomes accustomed to this artificial stimulation. In fact, it becomes dependent on it and loses the ability to produce and regulate essential endorphins on its own. When the drug is unavailable or discontinued, the body sends a distress signal. The only answer the brain can return is “More drugs”.

Percocet Withdrawal Symptoms

Even when prescribed and used properly to treat pain, Percocet dependence can develop. Although becoming dependent on a drug doesn’t necessarily mean that someone is addicted to it, the two conditions often go hand-in-hand. In either case, quitting causes withdrawal symptoms that are often unbearable.

A medical detox and stabilization program involves continuous monitoring that ensures these symptoms can be treated. Thus, each individual can become sober and begin focusing on recovery,

Withdrawal is caused by a response to suddenly removing a substance that the brain and body have become dependent on to function properly. It can make someone feel physically ill like they have a severe case of the flu. The symptoms can even become debilitating or life-threatening without intervention from a Percocet treatment program.

The signs of Percocet withdrawal include:

  • Muscle pain and weakness
  • Tearing or watery eyes
  • Runny nose
  • Anxiety and restlessness
  • Excessive yawning
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Nightmares and hallucinations
  • Profuse sweating

More severe symptoms come within the first three days, which is the peak of withdrawal. These include:

  • Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Goosebumps and excessive sweating
  • Dilated pupils
  • Rapid heartbeat and elevated blood pressure

How Long Does it Take to Withdraw From Percocet?

Recovery is a life-long process, but the withdrawal period ends eventually. The first withdrawal symptoms appear within 24 hours after the drug is removed from the system, and they can last for up to a week or more. Factors such as age, weight, general physical and mental health, and the degree of addiction or dependence all play a part in the progress and severity of withdrawal.

Most of the physical symptoms disappear by the end of the first week of the Percocet withdrawal timeline, but then psychological symptoms intensify. These include depression and can leave one feeling hopeless. A dual diagnosis treatment program helps alleviate the severe mental health symptoms that occur when a mental health disorder exists alongside an addiction

There’s also a high risk of relapse during withdrawal, and some people become suicidal. That’s why support and professional assistance is essential during this trying time.

Therapy at a Percocet Detox Center

After detoxification, your body is clear from drugs. However, there is still work to be done. Because of the effect of Percocet on the brain, you need to rewire the way your body perceives pain and reward. This involved evidence-based addiction therapies and other addiction treatments. These can include:

Contact Stepping Stone Center for Recovery Today

If you or a loved one need treatment for Percocet addiction, reach out to Stepping Stone Center for Recovery today. Our Percocet detox center in Jacksonville, FL keeps you safe during detox, so you can focus on building a life you really want. Don’t delay, call 866.957.4960 today.